Governor Gregoire Signs Groundbreaking Online Education Legislation

"The signing of S5410 is significant and has set a standard for other states to copy on how to accredit and set policies for the growing field of online education," said Rich Dingle, Co-Founder of Washington Families for Online Learning.  In Washington state the enrollment for online schools has grown nearly 250% in the past five years. In 2008 - 2009 school year over 14,000 students are enrolled in online courses.

The bill was originally sponsored by Senators Oemig, Morton, McAuliffe, Tom and Eide. House Education Committee Chair Dave Quall said: "We know that every child is different and every child thrives in different environments. Quality online learning has become a valuable option for so many of our state’s families and I’m happy to be part of the transformational effort to make those options possible.” Quall is also a former teacher and high school counselor.

The legislation requires the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to develop an approval process for online learning providers and to establish a statewide Office of Online Learning. Online programs offered to students beyond a school district’s boundaries will need OSPI approval to be funded by the state. Each school district will need to establish their own policy regarding their students’ eligibility to enroll in online programs. Model agreements will be developed to help school districts better utilize online public school programs. OSPI will launch a website to provide parents and students with information about online learning opportunities.

Elisabeth Silvers, Spokane Public School District’s Facilitator of Virtual Learning said of the legislation: "“I’m excited by this new legislation to ensure quality online learning opportunities for kids across the state.” Ms. Silvers is also the Secretary-Treasurer for WaCOL, a coalition of Washington state online education providers.

"The passing of S5410 into law means that when my family needs an option for traditional "brick and mortar" schools, this option will meet or exceed state and national standards in the curriculum, materials, teachers, and how my children are encouraged to learn," said Marie Holloway, co-founder of Washington Families for Online Learning.

Washington Families for Online Learning is an independent, nonprofit grassroots organization that is working to inform policymakers, the media and interested citizens on why online public school programs are the right fit for their children.  There are many reasons why families decide to utilize online schools, such as individualized instruction, one-on-one relationship with the teacher, heath concerns, difficulties in traditional classroom settings, and much more.  Public online schools use only Washington-state certified teachers who are responsible for managing their students learning and making sure their students meet all academic, accountability and attendance requirements.

For more information on Washington Families for Online Learning go to:http://www.waonlinefamilies.org/home/

Email: info@waonlinefamilies.org